Combination main and pilot valve



1952 A. L. MILLER ETAL 2,

COMBINATION MAIN AND PILOT VALVE Filed Aug. 25, 1947 2 SHEETS --ShEET l INVENTORr' AVY L. MILLER ROBERT V. GERTZ BY Nov. 4, 1952 v, A. L. MILLER ETAL 2,616,494

COMBINATION MAIN AND PILOT VALVE Filed Aug. 25, 1947 2 SHEETS-sham 2 Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION MAIN AND PILOT VALVE Application August 25, 1947, Serial No. 770,488

(Cl. I158138 ,6 Claims.

Our invention relates to combination main and pilot valves adapted to control gas appliances having main burners which are periodically ignited by means of pilot burners. Included in the'objects of our invention are:

First, to provide a combination main pilot valve which is adapted "to be connected to main and pilot burners in such a manner that in the event that the pilot burners should become extinguis'hed the entire supply is out oh and can only be restored by manually turning the valve to a predetermined position which maintains closed the main supply, then holdin a manual control associated with the pilot burner supply until a thermostat associated with the pilot burner is heated whereupon the main burner supply may be manually restored, thus providing a combination main and pilot valve which virtually eliminates the danger of gas accumulation in the appliance associated with the valve by reason of un'ignited gas flow from either the pilot or main burners.

Second, to provide a valve of this character which is so arranged that any attempt to force open the main supply when the pilot burner is extinguished or the thermostathas not been sufficiently heated merely results in closing supply to both burners, thereby providing a combination main and pilot valve which meets the most stringent regulations or underwriters specifications. Third, to provide a combination main and pilot valve which isparticiilarly compact, easily manufactured and dependable in operation.

Withthe above and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter, references are directed 'to the accompanyin drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an-end elevational view of our combination main and pilot valve, the parts being indicated in the off position of the indicator plate. 7

Figure "2 is an elevational view showing the opposite end of our valve with the guard cover broken away and partially in section also with the partsshown in the "off position of the indicator plate.

' Figure 3 is ansenlarged sectional view through 3-3 of Figurel also with the parts shown in the olf position of the indicator plate.

Figure 4 is a simplified composite and substantially diagrammatical sectional view, taken through'theplanes A--A, -B--B and CC of Figure "3; however, showing respectively the main ports, "pilot ports and latch pin -hand lever assembly, all in the. fon position of the indicator channels.

plate with the latch pin retained and thus representing t e valve in operation.

Figure 5 is a composite diagrammatical sectional view similar to Figure 4, showing the -essential parts of the valve in the on position of the indicator plate but with the latch pin released, and both the main and pilot ports actually closed, thus representing the valve in its condition assumed when the pilot burner is out and the thermosensitive element has cooled.

Figure 6 is another composite diagrammatical view showing the essential parts of the valve with the indicator plate in its off position, corresponding to the position of the portsshownin Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 7 is another composite diagrammatical view showing the essential parts of the valve in the positions assumed when the'indicator plate is in its pilot position and with the hand lever held manually in position to effect latching of the latch pin upon heating the thermosensitive element; the normal position of the hand lever and latch pin under such conditions being shown by dotted lines.

Our combination main and pilot valve includes a valve body I having a tapered bore therein which receives an outer core 2. The outer core is provided with a socket therein entering from its larger end which receives an inner core 3.

The valve body is provided with a vertically directed main burner passage 4 located in diametrical relation to the cores '2 and 3 and interposed "between an air inlet conduit do and an outlet fitting db. The outer core "is provided with diametrically disposed main burner ports 5 and the inner core is provided with a main burner port 6 adapted to register with each other and with the passage 4.

A pilot burner passage 1 extends horizontally through the valve body I in offset relation to the main burner passage. The pilot burner passage is diametrically disposed relative to the cores 2 and 3 and it is applied through a tube la. The outer core defines the outer extremities of a Z passage 8 comprising diametrically aligned openings connected at their outer extremities to circumferentially extending channels. The inner core is provided with a Z passage 9 comprising a diametrically directed bore, the ends of which communicate with circumferentially extending The Z passages 8 and 9 are adapted to connect with eachother and with the pilot burner passage 1, as will be brought out hereinafter.

The inlet end of the pilot burner passage 1 is counterbored and receives a meter valve In whereby the flow through the pilot burner passage from the tube la may be controlled. The counterbore is normally closed by a plug I The outer core 2 is provided with a shaft H. the extremity of which receives a handle IS. A cover plate l4 fits the handle l3 and bears against the corresponding end of the valve body A spring I5 is interposed between the cover plate l4 and handle |3 to exert a force tending to hold the outer core in its tapered bore. The shaft I2 is preferably square or otherwis shaped so that the handle |3 and cover plate I4 rotate with the handle. The cover plate is notched as indicated by I6 and the extremities of the notch engage a stop I! to limit rotation of the outer core 2. At one extremity the valve is in its off position and in the other extremity the valve is in its "on position. An intermediate position termed pilot is provided. To facilitate location of these positions, particularly the pilot position, there is provided a pointer l8 which overlies the periphery of the cover plate I 4 and is adapted to yieldably engage slight recesses I9 as shown in Figure 1.

Th opposite end of the body member is provided with a case or housing or guard means which encloses the core members 2 and 3. The inner core 3 is provided with a stem 2| which projects into the case 20 and carries a cross pin 22. The cross pin is urged by a torsion spring 23 against a stop 24 projecting from the larger end of the outer core 2 and thus forming a resilient driving connection between the inner and outer cores.

The xtremity of the stem 2| journals 2. hand lever 25. The lever 25 is provided with an arouate slot 26 which receives the extremity of the stop pin 24. The extremity of the lever forms a handle or manually operated device which in certain positions of the valve projects through an opening 21 formed in the upper edge of the case or guard means 2|]. The lever 25 also includes an arm 28 which is adapted to engage the cross pin 22. The function of the lever 25 will be brought out in more detail hereinafter.

A leaf spring 29 is interposed between the extremity of the case 20 and the stem 2| to retain the inner core 3 within the outer core 2.

The outlet end of the pilot burner passage 1 communicates with a pilot burner tube 30. At the extremity of the tube 30 is an anchor bracket 3| to which is secured a thermally responsive pull rod 32. The pull rod extends along, above and in spaced relation to the burner openings in the tube 30, and terminates in an adjustable head 33 which projects through an opening provided in a leaf spring 34. The leaf spring is secured to the side of the valve body. The free extremity of the spring 34 extends through an opening in the side of the case 20 and is adapted to be engaged by an end of the cross pin 22. The pull rod expands when heated to permit the leaf spring to function as a latch and engag the cross pin 22. When cool the pull rod contracts and draws the leaf spring clear of the cross pin 22.

Operation of our combination main and pilot valve is as follows:

Our valve is mounted in the supply lines to the pilot burner and main burner of a gas appliance. customarily such appliances are provided with other valves which control the main burner so that its operation is intermittent.

When our main and pilot valve is in its on position and the thermally responsive pull rod is heated so that the latch spring 34 retains the cross pin 22 as shown in Figure 4, the valve passages to the pilot and main burners are open, also as shown in Figure 4. Should the pilot burner be extinguished and the pull rod permitted to cool, the spring 34 releases the cross pin 22, whereupon the torsion spring 23 rotates the inner core 3 relative to the outer core 2 until the cross pin 22 engages both the stop pin 24 and arm 28 of the lever as shown in Figure 5. When the inner and outer cores are in this relative position the main burner ports 5 and 6 are out of registry and the Z passages 8 and 9 are also out of registry as shown in Figure 5, and therefore supply to the main burner as well as the pilot burner is shut off; the plate 4, however, being connected only to the outer core 2, still indicates an "on position. As long as the cross pin 22 bears against the stop pin 24 the Z-passages, as well as the bores 5 and 6, remain out of registry and both the main and pilot burners are closed irrespective of the position of handle l3 and plate I4. Thus, the valve remains closed whether moved to the pilot position or to the off position of the plate |4.

Figure 6 indicates the condition of the main ports, pilot ports and cross pin-hand lever assembly when the plate |4 indicates off. It will be seen that in the off position of Figure 6, the Z-passages 8 are out of registry with the passage 1 and port 5 is out of registry with passage 4, so that irrespective of the position to which the inner core may be moved by engagement with the handle 24, the valve remains completely closed.

After the condition of Figure 6 has been achieved by rotating plate I4 clockwis and it is desired to operate the main burner, plate I 4 is rotated 45 counterclockwise to the pilot" position on the dial. Such a movement rotates both the inner and outer cores 45 counterclockwise because the torsion spring 23 maintains pins 22 and 24 in contact. Handle 25 is also rotated 45 counterclockwise by such a movement because pln 22 forces extension 28 to rotate the handle. This movement has brought pin 22 out from under element 34. Handle 25 and channel 9 are now in the dotted line positions of Figure 7. To bring channel 9 into registry with channel 8 to supply fuel to the pilot it is now necessary to rotate the inner cor 45 clockwise but at the same time hold the outer core stationary. The

operator then grasps handle 25 and moves it 45 clockwise which is the angular extent of slot 28. Such a movement of handle 25 will rotate the pin 22 and thus the inner core 45 because extension 28 bears against pin 22 and rotates it the same extent as handle 25. Such a rotation will bring pin 22 under the element 34 in a position to be thereby restrained. The outer core will remain stationary because of the friction between the outer core and valve body and because of the engagement of pointer IS in slot l9. The handle 25 is manually held in this position until the heat of the burner forces the member 34 into a latching position.

Due to the force of the spring 23 the lever'25 must be held manually in the solid line position of Figure 7 until the pilot burner has heated the rod 32 sufliciently to cause the leaf spring 34 to latch the cross pin 22. When this occurs the plate I4 and outer core 2 may be rotated from the pilot position to the "on position, placing the ports in the position shown in Figure 4...

It will be observed from the position of lever 25 latching the pin 22. "must :be manually held open and the supply of gas through this valve is limited, no appreciable quantityof unignited gas can accumulate in the gas appliance connected with the valve.

amendiimpossible tolopen the :main valve "without first igniting the pilot valve heating the rod 32 and Inasmuch as the pilot valve The spring 23 moves the inner cor .3 relative to the outer core, rather than the converse, for the reason that the tapered seat of theiouterrcore coupled with the force of the spring l provides a substantially greater degree of friction between the outer core and valve body than between the cylindrical inner core and outer core. Also the pointer l8 engages in the notches I9 to maintain the outer core in position unless overcome by a manual force applied to the handle I3.

While we have described the preferred embodiments of our invention, we are not limited to any of the details herein set forth except as described in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A main and pilot burner control valve, comprising: a valve body; an outer core fitted in said valve body; an inner core fitted in said outer core; said valve body and cores defining pilot and main burner supply passages controlled by movement of either and both of said cores; a resilient drive connection between said valve cores, tending to place the passages within said cores out of registry; a thermally responsive latch means for restraining said resilient drive connection operable when the passages in at least one of said cores is in registry with the passages in said valve body; a manually operable device for opposing said drive means to place in registry the pilot passages within said cores; and a guard means disposed to prevent access to said manually operable device except when said cores are in a predetermined position wherein said main burner passage is closed.

2. A main and pilot burner control valve, comprising: a valve body; an outer core fitted in said valve body; an inner core fitted in said outer core; said valve body and cores defining pilot and main burner supply passages adapted to communicate respectively with a pilot and a main burner, said outer core being movable between an off position and intermediate position wherein said passages are closed and an on position wherein said passages are open; a resilientdrive means between said inner core and outer core tending to position the passages within said cores in out-of-registry relation wherein both said pilot and main passages are closed for all positions of said outer core; a thermally sensitive means adapted to respond to a pilot burner supplied through said pilot passage for restraining said drive means to maintain open said pilot and main passages when said outer core is in its on position; a manually operated means for relatively moving said cores in opposition to said drive means, means preventing access to said manual means except when said main valve is in its intermediate position wherein said manual means is operable to open said pilot passage, said manually operated means adapted to position said drive means for restraining engagement by said thermally sensitive means.

3. A main and pilot burner control valve, comprising: means defininga pilot burner supply "6 passage. and a main :burner supplypassa'ge 'adapt- 'ed to communicate respectively with a pilot :burnerr-and a main burner; a pair of valve elements individually and concurrently movable to open :and closesaid passages; a resilient connection between said valve elements relatively disposing said valve elements so that said passages are closed :by either one or the other of said elemerits; manual means operable in opposition tosaid resilient connection, and guard means limiting :access to said manual means whereby "when said valve elements occupy'a predetermined position, said pilot burner supply passage only may happened by operation of said manual means; a thermally :sensitive device adapted to respond to a pilot :b rner-connected with pilot burner supply passage for restraining said resilient connection; and other manual means operable when said resilient connection is restrained by said thermally sensitive device to open said main burner supply passage.

4. A valve for controlling main and pilot burners, comprising: a valve body defining main and pilot burner passages; a pair of valve elements independently and concurrently movable to open and close said passages; a drive connection between said valve elements tending to position said valve elements in such relative relation, that for all positions of said valve elements with respect to said valve body, said main and pilot burner passages remain closed; said drive connection including a resilient means permitting limited relative movement of said valves whereby the ports therein may be brought into registry; a thermally responsive means adapted to restrain one of said valve elements, said other valve element thereupon being movable to open and close said pilot burner passages; a manual means operable to move the valve element controlled by said thermally responsive means into a position for engagement by said means; and means limiting access to said manual means unless said other valve element is in a predetermined position wherein said main burner passage is closed.

5. A valve for controllingmain and pilot burners, comprising: a valve body; a manually movable outer valve core rotatable in said valve body; an inner valve core movable in said outer Valve core; said valve body defining main and pilot burner passages, and said valve cores defining ports interposed in said passages; resilient means connecting said valve cores and tending to position their ports out-of-registry whereby said passages are closed for all positions of said manually movable outer valve core said core ports being movable into registry in opposition to the urge of said resilient means; a handle for moving said inner core; a guard for limiting access to said handle unless said manually movable outer core is in a predetermined position wherein at least said main burner passage therein is closed, said 7 handle when accessible being movable to open said pilot burner passage; and a thermally responsive means for restraining said outer core in the position to which it may be moved by said handle.

6. A valve for controllingmain and pilot burners, comprising: a valve body; a manually movable outer valve core rotatable in said valve body; an inner valve core movable in said outer valve core; said valve body defining main and pilot burner passages, and said valve cores defining ports interposed in said passages; an axial pin protruding from the outer valve core; a transverse pin carried by said inner valve core, engag- 7 able with said axial pin when the ports in said valve cores are out-of-registry; resilient means tendingto hold said pins in engagement said cores being movable in opposition to said resilient means to place said ports in registry; a handle journalled at the end of said cores and having a free motion drive connection with said axial pin; a guard for limiting access to said handle unless said manually movable outer core is in a predetermined position, wherein at least said main burner passage therein is closed, said handle when accessible being movable to open said pilot burner passage; and a thermally responsive means for restraining said outer core in the position to which it may be moved by said handle.

AVY L. MILLER. ROBERT V. GIERTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 903,158 Anderson Nov. 10, 1908 1,054,020 Mouquette Feb. 25, 1913 1,124,872 Day Jan. 12, 1915 1,962,776 Kenney June 12, 1934 2,011,073 Neldner Aug. 13, 1935 2,201,398 Grayson May 21, 1940 2,362,011 Kefiers Nov. 7, 1944 2,384,314 Koppel Sept. 4, 1945 

